The NFL Draft is set to proceed as scheduled on April 23-25, but it’ll be broadcasted in a totally unique format due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The NFL just sent out a memo to all 32 teams preparing decisions for a virtual fantasy football style draft, with all parties being isolated in a room outside of their team facilities.
The NFL informed a group of GMs in a conference call Friday it was proceeding with plans for a virtual draft, per sources. So, today's announcement wasn't a shock. But still a lot of logistics to work out before Round 1 begins April 23, with GMs drafting alone.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 6, 2020
“In response to developing conditions and the advice of medical and public health experts, authorities at all levels of government have expanded the scope and extended the duration of orders requiring residents to shelter-in-place (“stay at home” orders) and closing non-essential businesses. These orders now cover the vast majority of residents and include every NFL home community. In some locations, these orders extend as far as June, and we should expect that this trend will continue.
“As you know, our offices have been closed since March 13 and all Club facilities have been closed since March 26. These steps were taken to protect our players and staff, to model appropriate behavior, and to ensure competitive equity among all 32 clubs. Given current and expected conditions, and to ensure that we operate responsibly and in full compliance with current regulations, both League and Club facilities will remain closed indefinitely. We will reopen facilities when it is safe to do so based on medical and public health advice, and in compliance with government mandates.
“Because of these circumstances, Clubs have been advised to prepare to conduct the 2020 Draft entirely outside of their facilities and in a fully virtual format, with club personnel in separate locations and able to communicate with one another and Draft headquarters by phone or internet. We have reviewed this matter in the past few days with both the Competition Committee and CEC, and this will confirm that Clubs will conduct their Draft operations remotely, with club personnel separately located in their homes.
The NFL announced that all team facilities will remain closed indefinitely, to ensure the league is in compliance with regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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